Help paying your electric bill in South Dakota
South Dakota got $21.3 million in the HHS table, about $59 for each of its 358,552 households. Income limit 200% of the poverty guideline; public line 605-773-3165. Heating help reached 24,510 households in FY2024.
Who to call in South Dakota
- South Dakota LIHEAP public line605-773-3165
- State program sitedss.sd.gov/economicassistance/energyassistance
- South Dakota Public Utilities Commission605-773-3201 · 605-773-5280 · puc.sd.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
LIHEAP in South Dakota: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | South Dakota | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $21,279,081 = $18,630,476 + $485,006 IIJA + $2,163,599 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating and Crisis: 200% Federal Poverty Guideline for households with 1-3 members, 60% State Median Income for households with 4-11 members, and 150% Federal Poverty Guideline for households with 12+ members. | snapshot 19 Aug 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $668 minimum, $3,437 maximum Crisis: $2,400 maximum | snapshot 19 Aug 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 24,510 Crisis: 2,852 | snapshot 19 Aug 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: Year-round Crisis: Year-round | snapshot 19 Aug 2026 |
CSV
CSVAm I likely eligible in South Dakota?
Median household income in South Dakota is $72,421, 219% of the four-person guideline; check line 200% (2026 guideline).
South Dakota in numbers
- South Dakota ranks 7th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($59), 36th on households below the poverty line (10.9%) and 20th on low-income energy burden (9.6%).
- Per household below the poverty line (38,921 of them) the FY26 funds come to $547, rank 7th of 51: 34% of a typical year's electricity ($1,614). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 23,982 households got help in FY2022 against 84,254 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 28% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $687, 43% of that year.
- Heating season: Year-round. Counted FY2024: heating, crisis.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $45 (Iowa) to $73 (North Dakota); low-income burden from 7.4% (Minnesota) to 10.3% (Montana). South Dakota: $59 and 9.6%.
Where South Dakota's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Edmunds County 22.8% (350 households); Marshall County 20.6% (323 households); Jackson County 18.3% (457 households); Todd County 16.9% (1,414 households).
- Most low-income households: Minnehaha County 15,837 (7.4%); Pennington County 11,152 (7.2%); Brown County 3,873 (7.5%).
48 counties.
How heavy is the energy bill in South Dakota?
9.6% of income in low-income households, 2.8% overall. Ranking, South Dakota prices.
| Group | Count | South Dakota detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 84,254 households | 9.6% of income; $1,817 a year on $18,893 | rank 20 of 51 |
| All households | 351,182 households | 2.8%; $2,371 on $84,623 | rank 16 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 38,921 households | 10.9% of 358,552 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 36 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 13.38 ¢/kWh | bill $134 a month at 1,005 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVShutoff rules and moratoria in South Dakota
South Dakota: cold weather by none listed; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Health or age needs | 30-day delay with doctors note. |
| Also listed | Only protections are a 30-day delay on disconnect in winter. |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites South Dakota Administrative Rules; Energy Utility Rights.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: ARSD 20:10:20:03, 20:10:20:05, 20:10:20:06, 20:10:20:10, 20:10:20:11. SD PUC rule adds 30 days to the normal notice timeline for residential disconnections Nov 1-Mar 31, and requires a 30-day postponement (once) on a physician's or official's medical-emergency certificate. Base timeline is 20 days to due date plus 10 days notice, personal notice for a first disconnection, and no Friday-Sunday shut-offs. Quote: “shall postpone the disconnection of utility service to a residential customer for 30 days from the date of a physician's certificate”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII).
| Point | South Dakota: ARSD 20:10:20:03, 20:10:20:05, 20:10:20:06, 20:10:20:10, 20:10:20:11 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Nov 1 to Mar 31: utility may not disconnect residential service without adding 30 extra days to the normal payment/notice periods, and must notify customer of the additional 30 days (20:10:20:10). Delay, not a ban; no temperature trigger found. |
| Who is protected | Residential medical emergency: utility must postpone disconnection 30 days from date of a physician's certificate or public health/social services official notice; limited to a single 30-day period (20:10:20:11). |
| Notice | Customer needs payment period of at least 20 days from billing to due date plus 10-day notice period; written notice mailed/delivered; first disconnection also requires personal notice (phone, visit or certificate of mailing); notices state right to appeal. No disconnection Friday, Saturday, Sunday, holidays or when offices closed. |
| Payment plan | Disconnection conditions include that the customer is unwilling to enter a reasonable agreement to liquidate the debt, so an agreement offer is effectively required (20:10:20:03(4)). |
| Who the rule covers | Chapter 20:10:20 Refusal and disconnection of gas and electric service (Public Utilities Commission); co-op/muni coverage not read. |
| Complaints | Notice must state right and place to appeal; disputes unresolved must be raised with the commission within 10 working days after disconnect notice (20:10:20:03(5)). Phone not read in this session. |
Not found in the text we read: heat; verify with the commission. Did not read 20:10:20:04, :07-:09, scope chapter 20:10:15, or SDCL.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
Next to South Dakota
Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming. Most FY26 funds per household: North Dakota, $73. South Dakota: $59. All 51.
Utility and state bill programs in South Dakota
None listed for South Dakota in the snapshot of 19 Aug 2026; ask the utility.
South Dakota on the map
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in South Dakota
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (South Dakota Public Utilities Commission sets rules).
- Call 605-773-3165 or 211.
- Ask about none listed-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, 605-773-3201.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
What income limit does South Dakota use for LIHEAP?
$54,640 for three people at 200% of the guideline; median household income $72,421; FY2022 heating standard 200% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in South Dakota?
Call 605-773-3165. Site: http://dss.sd.gov/economicassistance/energyassistance/
Can South Dakota utilities cut power in winter or summer?
none listed for cold; none listed for heat.
How big is the energy burden in South Dakota?
9.6% of income for low-income households, 2.8% for all; $1,817 a year for the first group.
How many South Dakota households got energy help?
23,982 in FY2022, 24,510 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $687.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a South Dakota bill?
$547 per poor household, 34% of $1,614.
How much LIHEAP money does South Dakota get?
$21.3 million in FY2026, $59 per household, rank 7 of 51.